All Aboard the Tooth Taxi
On The Road Again: A Tooth Taxi Update
by Mary Daly, Program Manager, Tooth Taxi
Update Number 65 | April 26, 2010 | Oakridge
“I want to take this time to thank you for having the tooth taxi come to our school, Oakridge Elementary. We are thrilled to have our students’ dental problems addressed and their parents are very grateful. Dr. Heringer and his staff had such a positive attitude with our kids; that they came back from having major dental work with smiles on their faces. We could not have more impressed.” Thank you again, Kandi Day, Oakridge Elementary
Oakridge, southeast of Eugene in Lane County sits near the middle fork of the Willamette River in the Cascade Range and has a history steeped in logging with a rebirth based on recreational activities. Oakridge - "Center of Oregon Recreation" and "the Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest."
Volunteers:
Dr. Jim Goertz and his wife Elaine traveled from Oregon City and spent Thursday volunteering with us. The Goertz’s son lives in Oakridge, they thought it was a good time to visit and volunteer! Dr. Goertz heard Dr. Heringer speak at ODC 2009 and he has been following the Tooth Taxi travels through the ODA’s publication Membership Matters.
Volunteers Dr. Jim Goertz and his wife Elaine
Newspaper/Press:
Dead Mountain Echo, the weekly newspaper visited for a story and photos.
From the kid gallery:
Dr. Heringer to Patient: “Are you a 2nd grader?” Patient: “No I’m in the first grade.” Dr. Heringer; “Oh, well you did that like a 2nd grader.” Patient: “Well I have a sister and she’s in the third grade but she acts like a baby, I act like a 2nd grader.”
After receiving a cleaning, 2 fillings and fluoride varnish provided by volunteer dentist Dr. Goertz our 6th grade patient exclaimed, “I wish I could just stay in here all day!”
Realities from the road:
Notes from James our assistant: The school was very receptive and thankful. Walking down the halls we were often approached by grateful staff members. Classroom presentations were probably the best I’ve ever done (or have been able to do) due to the children’s level of respect and intellect, of the highest caliber I’ve encountered.
The secretary shared with James how appreciative the community is:
“Beth went home yesterday really proud. The whole community found out what you did for her and they think it’s outstanding. This is such a great opportunity for our kids.” “You’ll never know how much we appreciate this.”
An instructional aide at the school that was looking out for a couple of disadvantaged students met Dr. Heringer in the hall when he brought a student back to class. She gave Dr. Heringer a pat on the back and in thanking him got emotional and choked up; she was so appreciative.
Other notes:
58% of students screened needed treatment.
42% needed no treatment.
Tooth Taxi miles driven: 311
On the Tooth Taxi we measure our success not by the dollar value of services provided but by reaching students and the success of treating students, especially when the odds are stacked against us. Meet Abby, whose teachers told James “good luck” when he picked her up for her appointment. She held his hand all the way out to the van, brought her naked dollies, and ended up being a great patient. With the caring team of James and Stephanie, Dr. Heringer’s skill, mixed in with a little nitrous and “Tom & Jerry “cartoon, Abby was given needed dental care (5 fillings, cleaning and fluoride) and left with a positive experience. Just another gratifying day in the life of the Tooth Taxi team.
TT Patient Abby with Dr. Heringer - Abby’s “hero”
Stats: Oakridge Elementary School, April 26-April 29, 2010:
- 62 students screened
- 123 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 38 students treated in the van
- $22,411 value of free dental services provided.
Summary
Tooth Taxi, September 4, 2008- April 29, 2010
- 6330 students screened
- 2465 students received oral hygiene education in the classroom
- 2471 students treated in the van
- $1,615,425 value of free dental services provided.